“A PLOT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 4

“A PLOT.”

TO WRECK “ RIKI-TIKI.” GLADYS WAS IN TEARS. LONDON. April 10. Mr Leslie Stiles, the producer of the musical comedy “ Riki-Tiki." in which Gladvs Moncrieff made her London debut. makes the sensational allegation that there was a plot to wreck the comedy. A disturbance, he srid. caused the artists and orchestra to lose their cues, and Gladys Moncrieff burst into tears before her first song. Stiles alleges that someone tampered with the theatre bills, and also that a woman, several hours before the show began, stopped Gladys Moncrieff in the street and warned her, saying: “ Look out! You’re going to be boo-ed tonight.” Special policemen were stationed in the pit and gallery. Stiles added that “ Riki-Tiki ” will not die without a fight. “ We've plenty

GLADYS MONCRIEFF.

of financial backing,” he says. “ and London won't be deprived of hearing the most beautiful comic opera voice that has been heard for years.” The evening papers agree with the morning press critics that Glad vs Moncrieff and *' Riki-Tiki ” provided the extremes of good and bad. The " Evening News" adds: Riki-Tiki ’ is like 4 Ashes ' set to music.” • Stiles spent the whole of Sunday altering the “ Riki-Tiki ” libretto. ‘ Miss Moncrieff in the finale saved the situation by impulsively kissing the producer. Leslie Stiles, on the lips.” said the "Daily News” next day. “She bro\ight the restless gallery to a sense of the justice due to the new Singer, and they showed how much her voice was appreciated, giving her such a round of applause that she blushingly had to make a speech. She i< certainly r find. She not only has the vision, but can sing, reminding one strangelv of J*se < 'ollins. .The dialogue falls to lower depths of than have so far been -Reached in musical corned'*.”

‘ Mis MoneriefFs songs made one forget the boresome nuisance of the remainder." said the “ Daily Mail.”